Episode 5
“So, the name of this show is Next Band?”
“Yeah.”
Pretty straightforward.
Noah thought the name was a bit cheesy but didn’t say anything. She knew the name wasn’t what really mattered.
“The mentors and producers include both idol band seniors and rock band legends. They’ll help decide the band members. We don’t know how yet, but they said the team lineups might change a lot.”
“So, you and I might end up in different teams?”
At Noah’s question, Eunha paused for a moment.
“…That could happen.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
Noah wasn’t trying to test her. She was just honestly curious.
‘It’s not like I care that much about her…’
Even if Seol Noah and Eunha had been close, this current Noah had only known her for two days. It wouldn’t really matter if they ended up on separate teams.
But…
Would Eunha be okay with it?
Noah glanced at her. Bandmates had a strange, delicate kind of bond.
She didn’t know how K-POP idol groups worked, but in her experience, band relationships were either super close or completely cold.
‘In music, you can become family… or total strangers.’
In Noah’s old band, Acris, they didn’t form the band because they had the same music goals. They were close friends first, and then made music together. So when life pulled them in different directions, they broke apart easily.
‘Maybe if we had been united by music from the start… things would’ve been different.’
Noah and Anya had stayed because they didn’t have anything more important than the band.
Could she build that kind of bond again?
Noah wasn’t sure. That’s why she asked Eunha earlier — what did their partnership even mean?
If this was just temporary teamwork until debut, then she’d treat it that way.
“It’s not okay.”
“!”
Noah’s eyes widened at Eunha’s answer.
“I want to be in the same band with you.”
“…Why?”
That was unexpected.
Eunha always sounded annoyed with Noah, so she figured Eunha didn’t like her much.
“Because I like your music.”
“My… music?”
“Yeah.”
Eunha said it so casually, like it was obvious.
“I don’t like you, Seol Noah.”
“….”
That hit Noah like a punch to the chest.
“But I like your music.”
That simple follow-up was somehow the most healing thing Noah had ever heard.
“That’s why I want to try doing it together. Your music.”
[Interview Clip – Eunha]
Eunha: “How did I first meet Noah? Hmm… At Han River Park. She was doing a busking performance alone.”
Subtitle: Eunha looks like she’s remembering something weird?
Eunha: “At first, I thought she was weird.”
Staff: “Weird how?”
Eunha: “She sang really well, but had zero confidence. She couldn’t even say her name properly. I asked if she had a YouTube channel or something, and she said she never thought about making one.”
Eunha: “It wasn’t just that she didn’t have one. It was her attitude — like, ‘Someone like me? No way.’”
Staff: “But you still liked her?”
Eunha: “Yeah.”
Eunha: “Then she started singing.”
The screen showed Eunha’s face filled with so many emotions — surprise, excitement, admiration.
Staff: “Was that the same song you’ll perform in the second audition?”
Eunha: “Yes. Noah wrote and composed it herself. It’s called I Won’t Rise.”
Then the screen changed.
There was no fancy stage setup. Just a drum, a guitar amp, one electric guitar, two mics, and two people on stage. Four producers watched them curiously.
♪ I am the sun ♪
The song started with Noah’s strong, high voice.
♪ Yes, I’m the shining sun
Yes, the one you see every day ♪
Only Noah’s voice was heard — no instruments. But it completely captured the room. Just three lines in, the producers looked mesmerized.
Off-stage, Noah looked tired and gloomy. Even on stage at first, she seemed weak and disinterested.
But after those three lines—
♪ But… ♪
Her voice dropped into a low whisper, teasing what came next.
♪ I won’t rise
I won’t set
I’ll start just lying here
My own Revolution! ♪
Her fingers flew across the guitar, a bright and fast rhythm starting. The gloom was gone — replaced by a fiery energy. Her eyes were burning with a rebel spirit, pulling everyone in.
♪ I don’t want to wake up
I don’t want to shine
I just
Oooh
Want to stay like this
Lazy
Slow
Secretly begin
My own Revolution! ♪
She wore plain clothes, messy black hair, and had dull bangs over her brows.
But none of that could hide her energy.
♪ Go ahead, point fingers
Say I’m wasting my life
Hmm hmm
But really, I don’t have a future
Look
This is my tiny revolution! ♪
After Noah shouted those lines, the scene faded again, though her voice still played.
[Eunha – Interview]
Eunha: “Can you imagine how shocked I was?”
Eunha: “This girl looked like she couldn’t even hold a spoon. Then the moment she started singing, boom! Full-on shouting.”
Eunha: “And the song? It’s about rebelling. She looks like she couldn’t say boo to a fly, and suddenly she’s screaming for her own revolution.”
Eunha: “It was so funny… and cool.”
Eunha chuckled, but her eyes were full of fondness.
Eunha: “Right then, I thought — I want to be part of her music.”
Staff: “Love at first sight?”
Eunha: “Something like that.”
Eunha: “Of course, that crush disappeared the second we had an actual conversation.”
Staff: “Why?”
Eunha: “Because she’s a complete idiot when it comes to anything but music.”
The screen faded out, then showed the producers and the stage again.
Producer Jinha (a rock legend): “Did you write that song yourself?”
Noah: “Yes.”
She no longer looked fiery — now her eyes were lazy and half-lidded again, like she was bored.
Jinha: “Alone?”
Noah: “Yes.”
Jinha: “Wow. Have you ever thought about becoming a full-time songwriter? That was amazing.”
Noah: “No.”
Jinha: “Why not?”
Noah blinked and replied, like it was obvious.
Noah: “Because no one can sing my songs better than me.”
Like, why would you even ask?
